Vaginitis is an inflammation of
the vagina. As many as one third of women will have
symptoms of vaginitis sometime during their lives.
Vaginitis affects women of all ages but is most common
during the reproductive years.
A change in the balance of the yeast and bacteria that
normally live in the vagina can result in vaginitis.
This causes the lining of the vagina to become inflamed.
Factors that can change the normal balance of the vagina
include:
The most common types of vaginitis are:
-
Atrophic
vaginitis: This
condition is not caused by an infection but can
cause vaginal discharge and irritation, such as
dryness, itching and burning
-
Bacterial
vaginosis: This is an overgrowth of
the bacteria that occur naturally in the vagina.
-
Trichomoniasis: This condition
is caused by the microscopic parasite
Trichomonas vaginalis and is spread through sex.
-
Yeast
infection: The balance of bacteria
and yeast in the vagina is altered, causing the
yeast to overgrow and cause symptoms.